12/15/2025
Holidays are a time to reflect on faith, reconnect with family -and enjoy traditions.
For Rich K. and his closely-knit family, the spirit of Christmas exists year round.
Despite health challenges that have brought him to The Meadows of Ottawa, Rich K. remains upbeat and grateful. He is quick to smile and nod his head to passersby. He is inherently grateful and kind.
His beloved wife of fifty years, Jane K. (née S.) joins him at the supper table each evening.
Together they chat about their days and loved ones -and visit with their many friends here.
Jane believes Rich’s health has strengthened their family’s faith and brought them even closer.
Family is everything to Rich.
After he became a resident here, he soon learned his change of address did not affect his relationships, as a revolving door of children and grandchildren drop by. (Their great-grandchild also visits…and another is due [to be born and visit] soon.)
As Jane talks of their life, both past and present, she furrows her brow and sheepishly insists, “We really are very simple, ordinary people.”
The clarity, joy, and purpose of their modest life has gifted them a serenity few people ever achieve.
Rich was born the only son of Cy and Celesta K. of nearby Columbus Grove, Ohio. With three sisters to help out with the countless other chores, Rich found himself behind the wheel of a tractor -or operating other farm equipment.
Agricultural life has always brought Rich joy.
At school he ran track and enjoyed vocational classes that offered hands-on learning.
4-H gifted him friendly competition as well as a circle of close friends. Rich was also a proud member of FFA.
While a student at Columbus Grove High School, he represented the Bulldogs in various track events.
Once he earned his license, Rich took a job at the local stockyard, a locale that remains a much-loved part of Grove lore.
Various groups would host events there, sponsoring lunches and selling pies to help support their churches or local causes.
At that place where national history meets small-town living, the Vietnam War loomed for Rich K. and other young men. He knew his 1969 graduation meant conscription. Across the country families watched a televised lottery that randomly assigned call-up numbers based on birth dates.
A medical deferment (for being too skinny) required that Rich shift his focus quickly and find his way in the world.
He began a 35-year career at the Putnam County garage. He enjoyed the camaraderie of co-workers -but of his job fixing snowplow brakes, he remembers the dirty and oily drip that coated him.
It was a good job, and Rich is proud he worked a hard job and earned a fair living.
Weekend life in Putnam County offered plenty of distractions in the early 1970s. Along with a group of buddies, Rich enjoyed local hangouts like The Bombshelter.
While much of the country was dancing “The Hustle” and “The Funky Chicken,” Rich and his buddies preferred square dancing.
For a young Rich and his friends, open dances after weddings or anniversary celebrations were an invitation to “do-si-do,” “circle ‘round,” and “swing and promenade.”
At an open dance held at the old Ottawa K of C, Rich and Jane first linked arms as they followed the caller’s cues and danced.
This friendship set to music grew as they crossed paths at other dances, ran into each other at a local “haunt “The Beer Barrel” -and struck up a conversation at the Ft. Jennings Church Festival.
Such was the nature of courtship in a time before social media.
For Rich and Jane, their love story began by chance -but was nudged along by meet-ups, both accidental and strategic.
Two years after their official first date, Rich popped the question to Jane.
Their wedding at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church was followed by a reception where the newlyweds danced alongside the many guests.
Early on a powerful understanding of life set the tone and tenor of their life together.
Faith was paramount. The family would live within their means, stockpiling more memories than “stuff.
Compromise was always a “given.”
Together they welcomed four children and established a home life anchored by faith, service -and tradition.
They purchased Jane’s family farm on land contract, and remained steadfast in their quest to deliver joy without excess. Theirs was a happy home. 4-H had helped shape both Rich and Jane, so they sought the same commitment and opportunities for their children. The children primarily showed both market and dairy goats. Rich and Jane, long-time 4-H advisors, helped build the species popularity locally -and align its show standards.
The children worked together and championed each other in competitions as diverse as sewing and woodworking.
4-H also provided ample opportunities for the siblings to polish communication skills and establish friendships.
Who needed faraway vacations when local and state fairs provided limitless family-oriented opportunities?
Outside of the organization the couple were active in their parish. Rich would become a Fourth-Degree Knight, the highest level of membership in the Knights of Columbus. All three sons would one day follow suit.
Jane, forever curious and open to new adventures, took on various jobs, including her own licensed home bakery.
Rich somehow found time to work at the country garage, to farm -and with his wife, cheer on their children in track, basketball, cross country, and various musical endeavors.
Together Rich and Jane started their own traditions, creating legendary Halloween parties attended by family, neighbors, and many friends.
Christmas remains their favorite holiday, though. The children loved how their dad “went all out” decorating the outside and take the gang on spontaneous drives to admire all the lights.
For this family, Christmas is prefaced by marathon baking and candy-making sessions.
At the family Christmas gathering, Rich and Jane sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” after their twelve grandchildren join siblings in performing Christmas songs.
After all the laughter, the unwrapping of gifts begins.
One item that rests on an end table here is a powerful metaphor for the spirit of this family.
A thick, meticulously designed and illustrated cookbook is a coveted and often-gifted at milestone celebrations.
A project that took the couple five years to complete, this tome is their homage to good eating and to family and friends. Included on each page is a photo of the person who shared the dish -as well as colorful anecdotes and detailed directions. Included are photos of the people who introduced the recipe and images of the weathered and stained hand-written notecards. Rich provided step-by-step photographs of the recipes being prepared. Both Rich and Jane share their own recipes in the book, as they are talented bakers and candy makers.
This cherished family heirloom is a powerful reminder that life, like good recipes, is best when thoughtfully undertaken, lovingly shared, and fully appreciated.
For Rich and Jane the music that drew them to the dance floor all those years ago still plays on, although the tempo has changed.
They are deeply grateful to have each other and their growing family.
In this chapter of their life, the words, “Let go and Let God” have even more significance.
There is nothing ordinary about their extraordinary lives.
